In the 1995 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers selected Collins as the fifth overall pick. As the first-ever draft choice for the expansion team, he quickly became the starting quarterback. In just their second season, Collins helped lead the Panthers to the NFC Championship Game in 1996, a remarkable achievement for a young franchise. His tenure with the Panthers, however, was marred by off-field issues and inconsistent play, leading to his departure from the team in 1998.
Collins then joined the New Orleans Saints, but his time there was brief. In 1999, he signed with the New York Giants, where he experienced a career resurgence. Collins played a crucial role in guiding the Giants to Super Bowl XXXV in the 2000 season, although they were defeated by the Baltimore Ravens. His performance during the NFC Championship Game that year, where he threw for 381 yards and five touchdowns against the Minnesota Vikings, remains one of the highlights of his career.
After his stint with the Giants, Collins moved to the Oakland Raiders in 2004. He spent two seasons with the Raiders, where he continued to demonstrate his ability to throw deep passes, though the team struggled to find success. In 2006, Collins signed with the Tennessee Titans, initially serving as a backup before taking over as the starting quarterback. His leadership helped the Titans achieve a 13-3 record in the 2008 season, earning them the top seed in the AFC playoffs.
Collins' later years in the NFL saw him transition into a mentoring role, providing guidance to younger quarterbacks. In 2011, he joined the Indianapolis Colts, where he played his final season. Throughout his career, Collins was known for his resilience and ability to adapt to different teams and systems. He retired with over 40,000 passing yards and 208 touchdowns, ranking among the top quarterbacks of his era in terms of career statistics.
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